In 2020, Garmin released the Zumo XT. So how does the new motorcycle navigator compare against the old Zumo 396 LMT-S model?
You can find in this specs and features comparison guide.
Quick Summary
Aside from two features (built-in Spotify and Pandora music players in addition to LiveTrack via app), the Garmin Zūmo XT is superior to the Garmin Zūmo 396 LMT-S in every way possible.
The newer navigator comes with a much better screen, longer battery life 32 GB of internal storage as well as a lot of new features not found in the older Garmin Zūmo.
If you are deciding between these two navigators, we recommend getting the Zūmo XT over the Zūmo 396 LMT-S.
Zumo 396 LMT-S vs. Zumo XT Comparison Chart
You can find Seeking Tech’s comparison table for these motorcycle navigators below.
| Garmin Zūmo 396 LMT-S | Garmin Zūmo XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.94" W x 3.38" H x 0.98" D (or 12.5cm x 8.6cm x 2.5 cm) | 5.8" W x 3.5" H x 1" D (8.8 x 14.8 x 2.4 cm) |
| Weight | 8.5 ounces (or 241.1 g) | 9.2 ounces (or 262 g) |
| What's in the Box | Zūmo 396 LMT-S Motorcycle mount and hardware Motorcycle power cable Quick start manual USB cable | Zūmo XT Motorcycle mount and hardware Motorcycle power cable Quick start manual USB cable |
| Display Size | 4.3" diagonally (or 10.9 cm) 3.7" W x 2.2" H (or 9.4 cm x 5.6 cm) | 5.5" diagonally (or 13.9 cm) 4.8" W x 2.7" H (or 12.1 cm x 6.8 cm) |
| Display Resolution | 480 pixels x 272 pixels | 1280 pixels x 720 pixels |
| Display Type | WQVGA color TFT White backlight | Glass Multi-touch High brightness HD color TFT White backlight |
| Dual-Orientation Display? | No | Yes |
| Waterproof | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Drop Proof? | No | MIL-STD-810 |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Battery Life | Up to 4 hours | Up to 6 hours Up to 3.5 hours with 100% backlight |
| Maps and Memory | Map updates microSD card Preloaded street maps | 32 GB internal storage 3D buildings and terrain 3D Terrain Downloadable satellite imagery Map updates microSD card Preloaded street maps |
| Outdoor Recreation Features | None | Preloaded topographical maps |
| Navigation Features | Bluetooth calling Garmin Real Directions landmark guidance Lane assist with junction view (displays junction signs) Millions of Foursquare points of interest Route shaping through preferred cities and streets Speed limit indicator (displays speed limit across a majority of major roads in the U.S. and Europe regions) TripAdvisor Traveler Ratings | Bluetooth calling Driver alerts for sharp curves, school zones, red light warnings, speed camera warnings and more Garmin Real Directions landmark guidance Lane assist with junction view (displays junction signs) Millions of Foursquare points of interest Route shaping through preferred cities and streets Speed limit indicator (displays speed limit across a majority of major roads in the U.S. and Europe regions) Traffic (via the Garmin Drive app) TripAdvisor Traveler Ratings |
| Advanced Features | Access to live services with app LiveTrack with app Smart notifications with app Wi-Fi map and software updates | Access to live services with app Smart notifications with app Wi-Fi map and software updates |
| Motorcycle Features | Built-in Spotify and Pandora music players with compatible smart phone Control music and media from smartphone or MP3 player Custom map support Garmin Adventurous Routing Glove-friendly touchscreen Elevation profile Helmet law notifications Rider alert warnings for sharp curves, state helmet laws, speed cameras and more Round trip routing Motorcycle-specific points of interest for cycle repair services, dealers and more Planned & dynamic fuel stops Service History Log Sunlight readable TOPO map support Track support Weather resistant Wireless ANT+ technology | Control music and media from smartphone or MP3 player Custom map support Garmin Adventurous Routing Glove-friendly touchscreen Elevation profile Helmet law notifications Rider alert warnings for sharp curves, state helmet laws, speed cameras and more Round trip routing Motorcycle-specific points of interest for cycle repair services, dealers and more Planned & dynamic fuel stops Service History Log Sunlight readable TOPO map support Track support Weather resistant Wireless ANT+ technology |
| Adventure Features | None | iOverlander points of interest Pair with compatible inReach devices Track recorder (breadcrumbs) Ultimate Public Campgrounds |
| Outdoor Applications | None | Garmin Explore app |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) |
Dimensions
The Garmin Zūmo XT is a little bit wider while the Garmin Zūmo 396 LMT-S is a little taller. The depth for both navigators are nearly identical. You can find the dimensions below:
- Zumo 396 LMT-S: 4.94 inches in width x 3.38 inches in height x 0.98 inches in depth (or 12.5cm x 8.6cm x 2.5 cm)
- Zumo XT: 5.8 inches in width x 3.5 inches in height x 1 inches in depth (8.8 x 14.8 x 2.4 cm)
Weight
The Zumo XT (at 9.2 ounces or 262 g) weighs a little bit more when compared against the Zumo 396 LMT-S (at 8.5 ounces or 241.1 g).
What’s in the Box
Aside from the navigators, both product come with the same contents, which are a motorcycle power cable, quick start manual, USB cable in addition to motorcycle mount and hardware.
Display Size
The XT has a bigger screen size at 5.5 inches when compared to the 4.3-inch display of the 396 LMT-S. You can find the exact measurements below:
- 396 LMT-S: 3.7 inches in width x 2.2 inches in height (or 9.4 cm x 5.6 cm); 4.3 inches diagonally (or 10.9 cm)
- XT: 4.8 inches in width x 2.7 inches in height (or 12.1 cm x 6.8 cm); 5.5 inches diagonally (or 13.9 cm)
Display Resolution
The Garmin Zūmo XT Motorcycle Navigator is capable at displaying at a much higher resolution (at 1280 pixels x 720 pixels) versus the Garmin Zūmo 396 LMT-S Motorcycle Navigator (at 480 pixels x 272 pixels).
Display Type
The 396 LMT-S uses a WQVGA color TFT display with white backlight. The Zūmo XT utilizes a multi-touch glass display that features high brightness HD color TFT with white backlight.
Dual-Orientation Display
Only the Zumo XT is capable of dual-orientation display.
Waterproof
Both navigation systems are rated at IPX7 when it comes to waterproofing. This means that both can tolerate being submerged in water at a depth of 1 meter (3.28 feet) for a duration of 30 minutes.
Drop Proof
The Garmin Zūmo 396 LMT-S does not have any drop proof rating.
On the other hand, the Garmin Zūmo XT passed the MIL-STD-810 testing, which usually involve drops of around 4 feet from multiple angles.
Battery
Both the navigators use a rechargeable lithium-ion for battery.
Battery Life
The Zumo 396 LMT-S can last up to 4 hours.
The Zumo XT is capable of lasting up to 6 hours (if you are using 100% backlight, than the new navigator can only last up to 3.5 hours).
Maps & Memory
When it comes to supported external storage, both navigators support microSD cards. Both also comes with preloaded street maps that can be updated.
Exclusive to the Zumo XT are 3D buildings and terrain in addition to downloadable satellite imagery. The new hardware also comes with 32 GB of internal storage as well.
Outdoor Recreation Features
The XT also comes with exclusive preloaded topographical maps.
Navigation Features
Both Zūmo 396 LMT-S and Zūmo XT come with a lot of the same navigation features, including Bluetooth calling, Garmin Real Directions, Millions of Foursquare, speed limit indicator and more.
You can check out the list of identical features when it comes to navigating below:
- Bluetooth calling
- Garmin Real Directions landmark guidance
- Lane assist with junction view (displays junction signs)
- Millions of Foursquare points of interest
- Route shaping through preferred cities and streets
- Speed limit indicator (displays speed limit across a majority of major roads in the U.S. and Europe regions)
- TripAdvisor Traveler Ratings
The newer Zūmo XT does have a few features not found in the Zūmo 396 LMT-S. You can find the list of exclusives below:
- Driver alerts for sharp curves, school zones, red light warnings, speed camera warnings and more
- Traffic (via the Garmin Drive app)
Advanced Features
Both navigation systems also share a majority of advanced features. With the app, you will be able to get smart notifications in addition to having access to live services. You can also get map and software updates over Wi-Fi.
Exclusive to the 396 LMT-S is the livetrack feature, which can be used via the app.
Motorcycle Features
The two Garmin motorcycle navigator also share a nearly identical list of motorcycle features. The only difference is that the Zumo 396 LMT-S comes with built-in Spotify and Pandora music players that you can use in conjunction with a compatible smart phone.
You can find the list of the motorcycle features that are included in both navigation units below:
- Control music and media from smartphone or MP3 player
- Custom map support
- Garmin Adventurous Routing
- Glove-friendly touchscreen
- Elevation profile
- Helmet law notifications
- Rider alert warnings for sharp curves, state helmet laws, speed cameras and more
- Round trip routing
- Motorcycle-specific points of interest for cycle repair services, dealers and more
- Planned & dynamic fuel stops
- Service History Log
- Sunlight readable
- TOPO map support
- Track support
- Weather resistant
- Wireless ANT+ technology
Adventure Features
Exclusive to the Garmin Zūmo XT are the following adventure features:
- iOverlander points of interest
- Pair with compatible inReach devices
- Track recorder (breadcrumbs)
- Ultimate Public Campgrounds
Outdoor Applications
When it comes to outdoor applications, only the Zumo XT is compatible with the Garmin Explore app.
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